World class riding star is on the bill

The Fairmoor Equine Clinic

There’s already a buzz in the equine office for the start of 2016, and it isn’t just for all the leftover mince pies.

One of the first events of our calendar will see international star Oliver Townend join us to talk about his life, his horses, and to see Oliver in action as he gives a riding demonstration.

So what’s all the fuss about?

The winner of both Badminton and Burghley in 2009, Oliver’s success has been based on hard graft and a love for the horses he works with. Having finished the season at the top of the British Eventing points table for the first time in 2009, having previously been top British rider, Oliver is a world class rider.

In 2012 Oliver was given the ride on Paul Ridgeon’s four-star horse Armada, and the pair won the British National Championship title the following year at the Festival of British Eventing. In May 2014, at one of the toughest Badminton’s in decades, Armada finished runner-up.

Meanwhile Black Tie II placed fourth at his first ever CCI4*, Luhmuhlen, earning Oliver a place on the British Squad for the 2014 World Equestrian Games, with Armada on the reserve list.

Exciting new equine faces arrived on the yard in 2015, notably PJ Hegarty’s Fenyas Elegance. Consistently good results earned the pair a place at the European Championships, one small mistake costing them a medal.

Oliver also claimed the British Novice and Intermediate Championship titles, riding Sonic de Sermentol and Note Worthy respectively, while Cooley SRS topped the leaderboard in the Ballindenisk CCI3*, his first run at the level.

For the second year running Oliver finished the season at the top of the BE Rider Rankings, with a points lead of over 800.

Oliver has probably his best string of horses to date heading into 2016, which means this talk is a must for horse lovers and those that follow the sport.

It’s great to be able to bring events like this to the area and we are all excited to pick up some tips and tricks.

The evening talk is on Friday, January 22 at Alnwick Ford Equestrian Centre in Longframlington.

There will be a buffet and refreshments from 6pm and the presentation from 7pm, plus a small number of retail stalls.

Tickets cost £20, available from The Fairmoor Equine Clinic on 01670 897597. Spaces are limited.